Kanturk Hillwalkers and Mountain Climbers | Blog

Two groups went out this time. The first was a small group of those who couldn't go up Carrauntoohil last Sunday. Together with Denis O'Mahony our favorite  Mountain Leader, we climbed it today. For two of the group, Roseann and Stephanie this was the first ascent of  'The Big One' and they did very well. We decided to follow the same route as the group of us who did it last week. Starting from Lisleibane we climbed up The Heavenly Gates hoping for the clouds to lift up, but we had no luck this time.  The Boots at The Heavenly Gates The cross was occupied by the group of Scouts from Dublin who were doing The Four Peaks 2016 Challenge and as a result of that we had to wait for our turn to take our group photo. But the cafe was ours, because we were faster than them and there was too many of them to fit inside (LOL).  The Heffernan Gang: Roseann, Stephanie & Anna (almost Heffernan) at the top No views from the t...

For our latest excursion we decided to go up the 'Big One' and we had the great luck to pick a near perfect March day. Eight of us struck off at 9.30 am from the Lisbiebane Car Park. One great advantage starting from here is compared to starting from Cronins Yard is that you get a chance to loosen out the legs as there is a short steep early climb coming up from Cronins Yard where this way is mostly level. On we continued in the main trail until we cut straight across at the mouth of Lough Gouragh. Our chose route was to go up the Heavenly Gates Route as the other probable route on this side of the river was the O'Sheas Gully  and our leader Denis O'Mahony reckoned there was snow up that side of the ridge and also it was quite windy at this point of our journey. The Heavenly Gates Route is probably our favourite route up as it's a bit easier than the others and certainly at this time of the year more sheltered. The last leg from O'Sheas Gully to t...

SEMRA preparing for training We decided to climb Galtymore from the south this time for change as we usually do it from the north side. We parked our cars at King's Yard, where a group of mountain rescuers from SEMRA was preparing for training. Ok, we are safe today even if we get lost in the deep snow! ;) To get to Kings Yard from Mitchelstown continue to Kilbeheny and through the village, then turn left. Galtymore There's a stone road from King's Yard which becomes very boggy after the sheep pen and ends later at some point. To avoid that boggy part, the best idea is to turn right at the sheep pen and follow the fence until you see a stile, then cross it turning left and continue to the top of Knocknagalty and further to the ridge having a gorgeous view of the valley and western Galtees on your left. It's a very straightforward climb, you can't go wrong. Just go straight up until you reach the main ridge and then turn right to the summit of Galtymore....

Today on our third trip of 2016 we went to Caherbanagh. We did it earlier as our last trip of the year 2015 in very bad weather conditions. This time we were more lucky - no rain and the top covered with soft fresh snow. Caherbanagh is a mountain which lies between The Paps and Clara, or otherwise down in the flatlands between Rathmore and Millstreet above Ballydaly. Caherbanagh also lies very close to the Kerry county bounds. Today we had 10 in the group with the usual of Anna, Padraig, Jer, Sheilanne, Bernie, Denis who brought his daughter with him, Celina plus a few new and welcome recruits in Geraldine, Nuala and Margaret. We set out to do the complete Loop of Glanaprehane and Caherbanagh at about 10 am. Off we set and the first part was to climb to our right which today was tough - wet and slippy, until we reached snow-covered part nearer the top and then the higher we went the deeper the snow got but certainly not enough to stop us in our tracks. We got to the ...

Back to Mushera again this week. Last week I went on my own to check it out and got some good views on all sides, this time unfortunately there was no views at all to be had. The morning remained dry but overcast and Mucky and quite windy when we got to the first peak to the west where normally you can see to West Cork and the Kerry range, nothing today. Underfoot it was fine in most places for January, in some places the paths were a bit soggy so all you had to do was to walk on the grassy verges and away you go. Today we had 12 varying from Girls & Boys from the young to the not so young and while we may not have got the weather or views we still had a great day out in that the Craic was good thrown in with a bit of banter.

After lunch today I needed to get out and take in a whole lot of fresh air. Next thing was where would I go. Had done Clara in Millstreet and Mout Hillary near Banteer and needed more than The Island Wood. Mushera came in to my head. Next thing was, how wet was this route. Only one thing for it ! Had to check it out. To get to the Mushera(more) to be precise , you park your Car at the gate of Millstreet Country Park, cross the road and your on your way There is a few ways of doing Musheramore The Route which takes you basically up and down to the Cross The Half Loop -- This once you cross the stile you head across country for the peak furthest to the right, one thing about this there is no defined path but just head straight for the peak furthest to the right. The first few hundred yards can be a bit mucky but after that today I found it okay. for January !! The Full Loop --Today I decided after checking my watch and the fact the weather was good I said I would do the Full Loop. ...

We took off on our first trip of the year to Mangerton near Killarney.To get there you go out the Muckross Rd. and turn left after Molly Darcys pub, so it is not too far away. Torc seen from Mangrton path The first thing we noticed yesterday when we arrived at the starting point was the amount of cars that were there, I have often been here both in Winter and Summer but never had to conquer a parking problem like the one on Sunday. Working off the Christmas and New Years Resolutions, I suppose they had a big bearing on the parking issues. We had 9 in total that is including a few young boys so we had a nice handy crew for our first day out in the year and hopefully we will have more the next day out. Going up to the Punch Bowl The reason why we chose Mangerton was there is a defined stony path nearly all the way to the top and once you get over the first few hundred yards you are nearly over all the really mucky parts and that is one major advantage Mangerton ...